Task 5 A and B: Comparing (image)

Part A: Instructions: (60 seconds)

Test-takers do not have to speak for the first part (A) of Task 5:

• You have 60 seconds to choose between two choices
• Look at the pictures
• The time should be used to compare the two items and choose the one they feel most comfortable talking about

 

Procedure:

1. Choose between the two (2) images to defend in your argument
2. Read the descriptions below the picture and take notes or add detail to your argument
3. Know that the next page will contain another picture of another person’s choice (your boss, a family member, or a friend), so you will have to use the information from your choice in an argument against the information of another person’s choice.

Tip: This is a debate structure where you will use persuasive techniques against the information of another person’s choice (see below)

For example:

Your company is planning to move to a new office soon, and your boss has asked you to help find a new location. You find two suitable options. Using the pictures and information below, choose the option that you prefer. In the next section, you will need to persuade your boss that your choice is the better choice. If you do not choose an option, the computer will choose one for you. You do not need to speak for this part.

Your choice:

                                                 

Industrial District                                                                             Downtown Business Centre

– Built-in 1910                                                                                   – Built-in 2012

– 10,000 square feet                                                                        – 12,000 square feet

– Rent: $15,000 per month                                                           – Rent: 10,000 per month

– Close to bus and train stations                                                  – Walking distance to bus

 

Part B (60 seconds)

Your boss is suggesting another office space. Persuade him that the option you chose is more suitable by comparing the two office spaces. You have 60 seconds to persuade.

Your choice                                                                                                                    Your boss’s choice

                                                                 

 

Downtown Business Centre                                                                                                     Suburban Centre

– Built-in 2012                                                                                                             – Built-in 2009

– 12,000 square feet                                                                                                   – 12,000 square feet

– Rent: $10,000 per month                                                                                       – Rent: $ 13,000 per month

– Close to bus and train stations                                                                              –  Close to the bus station

Note: This task emphasizes two (2) types of language:

1. Comparative forms are adjectives

The comparative form uses different suffix endings and the words ‘more’ or ‘less’, which depend on the number of syllables in any given word.

Rule 1: add -er to words with one or two syllables to make a comparative form

For example:

One syllable: soft – softer, fast – faster, big – bigger, pretty – prettier, etc.

 

Rule 2: with words of 3 or more syllables use ‘more’ or ‘less’ in front of + the adjective

Positive:  – 3 or more syllables: comfortable – more comfortable, beautiful – more beautiful, interesting – more interesting, intelligent – more intelligent

Negative: – 3 or more syllables: comfortable – less comfortable, beautiful – less beautiful, interesting – less interesting, intelligent – less intelligent

 

2. Persuasive forms

Generally, there are 3 rhetorical ways to sway your audience passed down through the ages: 1. by sympathy; 2. by logic; 3. by character (Aristotelian)

For this task, you will use 2. –  logic or the facts given under the images

Persuasive arguments include several techniques, but for this task, you only need to use three:

1. Be empathetic (mention your bosses’ side of the argument and pretend to understand)
2. Ask rhetorical questions (Do you want your employees to take a bus to work every day?)
3. Emphasize your point (use the comparative form here)

 

Part B Procedure:

 

1. Open with a statement of empathy about the other’s choice but ‘turn’ the argument back to your choice. For example, that is a good-looking office space you have chosen, but I have another one for you to consider.
2. Point out the first comparative form and then ask a rhetorical question (ask a question only once). For example, ‘my choice of office space is a little bit more modern than yours. Look at all the natural light we will have. Do you want your employees to work under fluorescent lighting?’ OR as a tag question at the end: You do not want your employees to work under fluorescent lighting, do you?
3. Then move to comparative forms and list all of the differences between choices and add detail (not questions). For example, also our buildings have the same number of sq. feet at 12000, so they are similar in this aspect. However, although the rent is a little more expensive with my choice, there are two ways for the employees to get to work, bus and train, whereas your office space only allows for taking a bus. The employees will appreciate these options.
4. Add a concluding sentence. For example: So, I think it should be clear which choice is better now.
5. Try to use signal words (i.e., First, Also, Finally, etc.).

Remember: It is not about what side you argue, as there is no right or wrong choice – It is more about ‘HOW’ you argue that gets you the highest score!

Your choice is:                               The Company’s choice is: 

Part B: (60 seconds)

Response: 

That is a good-looking office space you have chosen, boss, but I have another one for you to consider. My choice of office space is a little more modern than yours. Look at all the natural light be will have. Do you want your employees to work under fluorescent lighting? Our buildings have the same number of sq. feet at 12000, so they are similar in this aspect. However, although the rent is a little more expensive with my choice, there are two ways for the employees to get to work, bus and train, whereas your office space only allows for taking a bus. The employees will appreciate these options. So, I think it should be clear which choice is better now.

Statistics: 124 words spoken in approximately 50 seconds.

Marker’s score = 9 or 10

Content/Coherence: This is a well-organized response as there is an introduction, a persuasive body, and a conclusion. There is a rhetorical question that enforces the idea that the speaker is persuading ‘their boss’ (fluorescent lighting).

 

Vocabulary: The comparatives ‘more modern’ and ‘more expensive’ are used.

 

*Listenability: This criterion depends upon the speaker’s ability to speak with rhythm, pronunciation, intonation, pauses, interjections, and self-correction. The response is spoken grammatically correct with few pauses or hesitations.

 

Task Fulfillment:  The response is complete because it answers the question; it is persuasive (comparatives noted); it follows a paragraph form and the tone remains consistent.